Back to school a stressful time for some students
New grade, new classroom and a new teacher — it can be a daunting time of year for some children.
Dr. Janet Orchard is a child psychologist who says most children feel stress and anxiety at the thought of leaving the lazy days of summer behind them in order to hit the books.
"They might quite overtly talk to their parents about worrying about who is going to be their teacher and who their best friend going to be in the class," she said. "Teenagers are probably more apt to be inclined to be more irritable."
Academic and social stresses and worrying about fitting in are common, Orchard said.
Orchard encourages kids to talk about their feelings and for parents to acknowledge that, "really, those feelings are legitimate and they have a right to be nervous."
"It's normal to feel anxious as school approaches," Orchard said.
Student Aanika Merner says she's "feeling excited, yet anxious."
Merner is starting Grade 8 at a new school.
"I'm feeling anxious because I'm a little concerned that some of the kids might be out of my comfort zone and not the nicest. But I'm pretty sure there will be a lot of kids just like me," Merner said.
The Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board says coping is a partnership between the child and parents.
"Let the child go the first day feeling positive," associate director Cathy Geml said. "Reassure them from the moment they get out the door, get on the bus or you drop them off, to have a great day. It's going to be a great year."
It's not just elementary students stressing out.
The Toronto District School Board's census of its students last school year showed that 73 per cent of students between Grades 9 and 12 say they are worried about their future, compared to just 46 per cent and 33 per cent of students who were concerned over family matters and relationship issues, respectively.
The report by Canada's largest school board also showed that 57 per cent of students in those grades said they were losing sleep because of their worries, either sometimes or all of the time. About 66 per cent said they were under a lot of stress, sometimes or all of the time.
Back in Windsor, Merner has her own coping strategy. When she's feeling anxious at home she turns to her many pets.
"When they look me eye to eye, it's like, 'yeah, I get it," she said.
Merner isn't the only one to turn to animals to relieve stress and anxiety.
Last December, more than 300 students lined up at the Dalhousie University for their chance to spend a few minutes with therapy dogs.
The student union there decided to offer the program after one student suggested it on an online forum. The plan was to give students a few minutes to relax with their new fuzzy friends and forget the stress of this month's exam period.
